Chapter 12

Camille exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath her composed exterior. She'd always been too accommodating with Damien, letting him dictate the terms of their strained relationship. That weakness had cost her every chance to bridge the distance between them.

When Helena didn't push further after Camille's quiet refusal to elaborate, relief washed over her.

Dinner progressed with lively chatter filling the dining room. Camille remained silent, methodically cutting her steak into precise pieces.

Not a single word had passed between her and Damien since he'd entered Harrington Manor. Fifteen minutes and counting.

Their cold dynamic raised no eyebrows anymore. The household staff barely noticed.

Chloe normally relied on Camille for assistance during meals. Lately though, she'd started turning to Damien first.

Yet when the shrimp platter arrived, the child instinctively looked toward Camille. Years of peeled shrimp flashed through both women's minds.

"Mommy, can I have shrimp?" Chloe's sweet voice cut through the dining room chatter.

Despite the impending divorce and custody arrangements, maternal instincts kicked in. "Of course, sweetheart."

Camille set down her wine glass and reached for the seafood fork.

Helena's sharp intake of breath made everyone freeze. "Camille, where's your wedding ring?"

All eyes snapped to Camille's bare left hand.

That platinum band had never left her finger since their wedding day - not even when Damien had publicly humiliated her by never wearing his. Brielle had mocked her for it relentlessly.

Camille's fingers barely faltered as she continued shelling the shrimp. "Left it at home this morning. Rushed out the door."

The lie came smoothly. The ring currently sat in the same envelope as the unsigned divorce papers. No need to upset Helena before the ink dried.

Helena's shoulders relaxed. "Ah, that explains it."

Conversation resumed, silverware clinking against fine china.

Later in the drawing room, Helena orchestrated seating arrangements with matchmaking determination. Camille found herself pressed against Damien's side on an antique loveseat.

His familiar bergamot cologne should have made her pulse race. Instead, she focused on her crème brûlée, savoring each caramelized bite in silence.

Helena beamed at them. "You make such a striking pair."

Physically, perhaps. Damien's chiseled features complemented Camille's delicate beauty perfectly. But their marriage had always been a gilded cage.

Selene and Lydia exchanged knowing glances but held their tongues.

At Helena's insistence, the entire family stayed overnight at Harrington Manor.

When Damien disappeared into Helena's study for business discussions at eight, Camille found herself shepherding a yawning Chloe upstairs.

"Mommy," Chloe hesitated in the bubble-filled tub, "are you busy tomorrow morning?"

The hopeful glint in her daughter's eyes stung. "No, darling. Why?"

Chloe's lower lip jutted out. "Nothing."

Camille didn't press. After towel-drying Chloe's curls, she caught the child sneaking glances at her phone.

"Nine-thirty bedtime," Camille reminded her. "No exceptions."

"Fine," Chloe huffed, already shoving Camille toward the door. "Goodnight, Mommy!"

The lock clicked the moment the door closed. Camille paused. That lock hadn't been meant to keep others out - just her in. Chloe was probably texting Selene about tomorrow's change in plans.

Back in her room, Camille showered and changed into silk pajamas from her permanent guest closet. She settled into the window seat with legal documents from her briefcase.

Midnight approached when she realized Damien still hadn't returned. Was he avoiding her? Working? The unanswered questions drove her downstairs.

A voice from the darkened library stopped her cold.

"Everyone's asleep. You're hiding down here because Camille's in your room, aren't you? Can't bear to face her?"